Asheville Considers Reallocating Housing Funds for Storm Helene Recovery
Feb. 20, 2026, 5:04 a.m. ET
ASHEVILLE – The city of Asheville is evaluating the future of $18 million in housing funds, which are part of a larger $225 million federal allocation designated for Tropical Storm Helene recovery efforts. A key question under consideration is whether to reallocate funds originally earmarked for multifamily construction to a single-family home repair program administered by the state of North Carolina.
Federal Funding and Initial Allocation
In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated $225,010,000 in Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds to Asheville to aid in its recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene [1]. The city council unanimously approved the Action Plan for these funds on April 8, 2025, and submitted it to HUD on April 9, 2025 [2].
Proposed Allocation Breakdown
The initial allocation plan outlined the following distribution of funds:
- $125 million for infrastructure
- $52 million for economic revitalization
- $31 million for housing
- Approximately $11.2 million for administration
- Approximately $3.7 million for planning
- $2 million for public services
Renew NC Single-Family Home Repair Program
The City of Asheville has formalized a $3 million partnership with the State of North Carolina to support home repair and reconstruction for homeowners impacted by Tropical Storm Helene [3]. This collaboration utilizes City of Asheville disaster recovery funding and is administered through the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program. The application period, which began in June 2025, remains open through January 31, 2026, at RenewNC.org [3].
Next Steps and HUD Review
Following the approval of the Action Plan, HUD will review Asheville’s financial, procurement, and grant management practices to ensure the city is prepared to effectively manage the allocated funds [1]. The city has already submitted the necessary documentation and is awaiting certification. Once certified, HUD will issue a grant agreement for both parties to sign [2].
The potential reallocation of funds from multifamily construction to the Renew NC program represents an ongoing effort to address the diverse housing needs of Asheville residents impacted by Tropical Storm Helene.